Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan expressed his frustration following a devastating loss to South Africa in their T20 World Cup 2026. Despite a lion-hearted show that saw the match stretch into two intense Super Overs, Rashid pointed to specific missed opportunities that cost his side the victory. He specifically noted that the game should never have reached a tie-break, suggesting that smarter decision-making in the final moments of regulation could have secured the win.
We could’ve been smarter: Rashid Khan on Afghanistan's agonizing loss to SA
The captain’s critique centered on a pivotal moment involving bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi. Rashid lamented that if Farooqi had shown more urgency—specifically by diving at the crease—the match could have been wrapped up within the initial 20 overs. This lack of situational awareness proved costly, as South Africa managed to keep their composure through the chaos of two Super Overs.
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The drama finally concluded when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the final ball of the second Super Over, with Afghanistan needing just five runs to win. Reflecting on the painful defeat, Rashid admitted his team needs to be more clinical under pressure, as their inability to capitalize on three distinct chances to close out the game ultimately allowed South Africa to escape with the win.
“We had our opportunities. In the last Super Over as well, one ball and five runs can go either way. We could’ve been smarter. One dive, one ball could’ve finished it. We worked hard for the last one-and-a-half years for this game to go to the next round. Very disappointing. Any time you’re representing your country, it’s a proud moment. I’ll try my best to keep the boys as upbeat as possible,” Rashid said at the post-match presentation.
Rashid Khan proud of Afghanistan despite defeat against South Africa
Despite the painful nature of the loss, Rashid took a moment to commend his squad for their collective resilience. He described the team's performance as a lion-hearted effort, acknowledging the grit they displayed by pushing a powerhouse like South Africa to the absolute limit. The captain reserved his highest praise for Gurbaz, highlighting the opener's relentless determination. Rashid noted that Gurbaz’s consistent fight with the bat kept Afghanistan in the hunt until the very last delivery, serving as a bright spot in an otherwise heartbreaking finish.
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“The boys did an amazing job, especially with the way they started with the bat. To restrict them to under 190 was amazing. So unlucky to be on the losing side after giving everything on the ground. This wicket is good — I’ve played a lot on it during the IPL. The discussion within the team was that yes, they had a good start, but we needed to restrict them in the last 10 overs. It was an amazing innings from Rahmanullah — that’s what he’s famous for. Losing quick wickets in the powerplay put him under pressure, but overall he played brilliantly,” he added.
Proteas have the last laugh in Double Super Over thriller
The final over of the match was a rollercoaster of emotions, beginning with Afghanistan needing 13 runs for victory and down to their last wicket. The tension peaked on the very first delivery when Kagiso Rabada appeared to have dismissed Noor Ahmad, only for the umpire to signal a no-ball. Given a second life, Ahmad capitalised immediately, smashing a massive six on the following legal delivery. With the help of another no-ball, the target was whittled down to a manageable two runs needed off the final three balls. However, the momentum shifted back to South Africa due to a lapse in judgment on the fourth delivery. Attempting to scramble for a second run, Farooqi was caught short of his ground at the non-striker’s end. His failure to put in a desperate dive resulted in a run-out that tied the scores and sent the game into a series of Super Overs. Ultimately, South Africa's defense of 23 runs in the second tie-breaker secured them the win, leaving Afghanistan to rue what could have been a historic chase.